Home › Compare › Columbus, OH vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs St. Louis, MO

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

3.2% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
14.0% 14.0% cheaper housing
0.0% 0.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 14.0% cheaper
Columbus
86
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Columbus
96
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Columbus
98
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 2.1% more
Columbus
94
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 7.4% more
Columbus
95
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Columbus, OH St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index93903.2% less
Housing867414.0% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,100$1,0009.1% less
Median Home Price$260,000$185,00028.8% less
Groceries9696~Same
Transportation98100~Same
Healthcare94962.1% more
Utilities951027.4% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Columbus, OH St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax3.50% (top)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax5.75%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.41%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
St. Louis, MO
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: St. Louis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in St. Louis to maintain your Columbus lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Columbus (93) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Columbus3.8%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Columbus2.8%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Columbus23 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Columbus41
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Columbus40
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Columbus52°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Columbus905,748
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Columbus and St. Louis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in St. Louis →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus or St. Louis cheaper to live in?+
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 14.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Columbus vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,100/month in Columbus and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $100 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Columbus or St. Louis?+
Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. Missouri has a state income tax of 4.80% (top) and sales tax of 4.23%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Columbus to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Columbus is $64,000 compared to $52,000 in St. Louis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Columbus vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Columbus is $260,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $75,000. Property tax rates also differ: Ohio averages 1.41% while Missouri averages 0.88%.